HU Tobacco Tillerman

First of all, let me warn you that this is by far the most bitey tobacco I've ever come across. An aromatic not smoothened out with burley or black cavendish, what do you expect I guess?

Second, let me tell you that this is by far the best aromatic I've come across. Yes, despite the biteyness, the flavour is just THAT good.

Rich, sweet, deep, nuts, dark chocolate, spicy. I'm reminded off coffee, toasted peanuts, darl chocolate, maduro cigars, and... a dark, toasted burley. There's also something smokey about the flavour that reminds me off DFK. But I don't doubt that there's just VA here, but I'm reminded off those tobaccos It becomes smokier and, for me, perceived as stronger as I'm reaching the end off the bowl. The sweetness becomes weaker and the nuttiness at the heart off the blend becomes more apparent the further down the bowl you get. Cocoa-notes are present throughout. To me, it's clear that the unique flavour isn't just, or even primarily, a result off toppings. This is an aromatic, but it's also clearly tobacco. Similar to Mac Barens Mixture Scottish in that regard. In fact this is very similar to that blend all in all. This one does not burn as well and is even more prone to bite. But Tillerman just tastes... better. And more. Both from the toppings and tobacco. A rich smoke with a pleasant room note* that I can easily recommend to everyone who has the patience to tame this unruly biter. The reward is well worth the trouble.

My quest for the perfect tobacco-tasting aromatic that accentuates the cocoa and nut flavours tobacco has naturally is over. This will be a staple in my rotation for the rest off my life.

*anti tobacco fascists won't like it, but average human beings will tolerate or like it.

Tin note smells of cherry (or is it strawberry?) liqueur with hints of chocolate. Sweet and absolutely delicious. And although the tin aroma is quite pronounced, once you light this tobacco you soon understand it’s not an aromatic, it is just scented in a way that complements and enhances the natural tobacco taste which is mostly what you get.

The flakes are very wide rectangulars and mottled with an overall fair complexion. They come on the dry side, very easy to rub and light. The tobacco smokes very dry to the end leaving no dottle and it can get a little hot if pushed. No bite for me whatsoever. Virginias are dry and sharp - without being in anyway acrid - and this roughness is very well balanced by the faintly sweet scenting of the tobacco. I mostly get a minimal red fruit note, not much of the chocolate I can sense out of the tin. Overall though what I taste in Tillerman is a dry natural tobacco taste, not scenting. And even scenting tastes very natural.

Strength is medium, nicotine on the mild side of medium. This is another winner from HU Tobaccos, has a unique taste and can offer variety to any piper’s rotation. Can easily become an all-day smoke for me, even if a little bit dry.

I prefer calling this blend "flavored" instead of aromatic because you not only get the scent but also can taste chocolate and coffee coming through the tobacco, which is something scarce for me in my 27 years of pipe smoking. Since my first encounter with pipe tobacco, only a couple of blends tasted similar to their scent, and Tillerman is one of those few. All-day smoke or chocolate coffee treat on occasion, consume as you see fit, Tillerman can play any of these roles. Tasty and easygoing blend from HU Tobacco.

At first I thought that I didn´t really like this one, although it is an excellent tobacco, and traded unopened 50g tin to a meer estate pipe. I´m very happy with the meer but I do regret the choice of currency. I should have picked another tin to let go.

It is made of top notch quality tobaccos as always in case of HU blends. Different Virginias work well together, no questions asked, but to my mind the dark chocolate flavouring is a bit on the strong side -at least from time to time. Or maybe it is the spicy "secret extra ingredient" that I haven´t been able to figure out, but it wouldn´t surprise me if it truly was chili! Anyways, it is far from simple straight Va, or a traditional sweet Aro. It is actually quite mellow Nic-wise, but definitely has a strong character.

Tillerman might not be an easy acquaintance at first, bizarre even, but once you get to know it and mutual trust developpes it is most rewarding. I kept coming back to it and bowl by bowl it pleased me more.

Recommended to any open-minded connoisseur, and especially for those who enjoy gourmandising stuff like pitch black chili flavoured chocolate.

Easily 4/4 quality and composition, subjective opinion 3/4.